The Dispute

Bai Xi Wen's words were quite impolite, and he harbored great suspicion about Liu Zhi Wei's intention in summoning Duan Yi, leaving everyone bewildered.

Though others were unaware, Bai Xi Wen himself was perfectly clear.

Since Duan Yi had arrived on the mountain, Bai Xi Wen had taught him profound martial arts, but he had never let down his guard, fearing the other party might act against the Golden Cauldron Sect. Thus, he was fully aware of Duan Yi's whereabouts.

In his opinion, Liu Zhi Wei summoning Duan Yi was not largely because he believed Duan Yi was the murderer of the deceased Ruan Dong, but more likely because Duan Yi had defeated Ruan Dong in a sword fight. Liu Zhi Wei likely wanted to seize this opportunity to teach him a lesson, to vent his anger for Ruan Dong, and for himself.

This matter also involved the complex relationships among the high-ranking officials of the Golden Cauldron Sect, which were not to be revealed to outsiders.

In short, upon seeing Bai Xi Wen, the heavy burden in Duan Yi's heart was finally lifted. He wasted no more words and stood directly behind Bai Xi Wen, signifying his obedience...

The Golden Cauldron Grand Hall was situated atop the central peak. Yellow-robed outer disciples guarded both sides of the stone steps, swords in hand, their gazes straight ahead, standing tall and firm like pine trees.

The main hall covered an area of about three hundred square meters. Its exterior featured upturned eaves, and the interior exuded a dignified and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

As Bai Xi Wen led the group into the Golden Cauldron Grand Hall, they immediately heard the sounds of heated debate. Looking around, they saw two middle-aged men arguing.

One, dressed in a magnificent purple robe, sat on a seat on the north side of the hall. Although his appearance was ordinary, his facial skin was smooth and faintly lustrous, exuding great authority. He spoke slowly and deliberately, without any sign of flushed cheeks or anger.

The other man sat beside the purple-robed man. He was thin and had puffy bags under his eyes, appearing rather common. However, he possessed a pair of exceptionally large and intimidating hands, and it was he who was passionately arguing.

On the row of chairs on the north side of the hall sat three other middle-aged men, with disciples standing behind them. Due to their silence, they did not attract much attention.

Upon seeing Bai Xi Wen and his entourage arrive, the two disputing men quieted down. Helan Yue'er then quietly introduced these individuals to Duan Yi.

The authoritative purple-robed man was Ruan Dong's master, Liu Zhi Wei, the Deputy Sect Leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect. He was the one who had asked Zhao Yu to bring Duan Yi to the Golden Cauldron Grand Hall to prove his innocence.

The one arguing with him was Shi Jian, another Deputy Sect Leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect. His presence was not very significant; compared to the Sect Leader Qu Dong Liu, the top expert Bai Xi Wen, and the Deputy Sect Leader Liu Zhi Wei, he seemed rather mediocre. His reputation and the perception of him among the disciples were not commensurate with his position.

As for those seated, they were the three Grand Elders of the Golden Cauldron Sect and their disciples, who had come to investigate upon hearing of Ruan Dong's death.

"Senior Brother Liu, I heard your disciple Ruan Dong is dead. Now you suspect my brother Duan Yi is the murderer. Do you have any evidence?"

Bai Xi Wen took a step forward, not looking at anyone else, and cupped his hands in greeting towards Liu Zhi Wei, getting straight to the point. However, his tone was not very good, appearing somewhat flippant.

"So it's Junior Brother Bai. It seems you've also heard about this matter. Good, then let's clarify this.

Two days ago, Duan Yi, who had only been at the Golden Cauldron Sect for a short time, had a sword fight with my disciple Ruan Dong on the arena. After the match, Ruan Dong never appeared again.

At the time, we didn't pay much attention, thinking he was hiding because he couldn't face anyone after losing the match.

It wasn't until this morning when Ruan Dong's body was discovered that we learned he had died on the mountain.

This matter is inseparable from your brother Duan Yi. That's why I asked Zhao Yu to bring him here to question him, and I didn't say he was definitely the murderer."

Liu Zhi Wei's expression changed slightly when faced with Bai Xi Wen's questioning, but he quickly regained his composure and retorted.

"Alright, let's assume what you say has merit.

Then what about Ruan Dong's body? When did he die, where did he die, what were the surrounding conditions, and were there any traces or clues? Have you investigated all of this?

Based solely on what you've just said, it's merely a suspicion, and I doubt it's enough to prove Duan Yi's connection to this matter."

Bai Xi Wen was not fooled by the other party and continued to question him, with sound reasoning.

At the very least, to suspect Duan Yi, one should present corresponding evidence, such as Ruan Dong dying under the effect of Ice True Qi, or by the blade of the Songshan Swordplay. These would be strong proofs, as on the mountain, besides himself, only Duan Yi knew these two martial arts.

"Evidence? Where would he get evidence?

Ruan Dong's body was found in a dense forest on the mountain. I examined it carefully when I went there. The vegetation was all broken and trampled by internal force, clearly indicating an outburst of emotion. The environment was disturbed, and it was impossible to tell if anyone else was present.

Ruan Dong's body was found slumped against a large tree, with his forehead split open. There were also bloodstains remaining on the bark of the tree. The time of death was roughly after noon two days ago, meaning he died shortly after the match.

It's quite obvious that Ruan Dong, lacking in skill, lost to Duan Yi in their sword fight and, unable to bear the shame, lost his will to live and died by crashing into a tree. It has nothing to do with anyone else.

Senior Brother Liu, I've already said that this matter has nothing to do with Duan Yi, nor is there any need to involve Junior Brother Bai."

Shi Jian spoke like a machine gun, appearing to be hot-tempered.

Judging by his words, he clearly believed Ruan Dong had committed suicide and was not murdered. His earlier argument with Liu Zhi Wei was likely due to their differing opinions.

"Suicide? Ruan Dong is my disciple. I know his temperament best. Even if he lost all face and was ridiculed, at most he would be dejected for a few days, but he would never think of taking his own life.

On the contrary, I believe someone deliberately created a diversion, making it look like Ruan Dong committed suicide, in order to divert our attention.

Although the identity of this murderer is unknown, Duan Yi, who came to seek refuge with Junior Brother Bai, is highly suspicious.

Think about it, before he arrived, our Golden Cauldron Sect was peaceful and without incident. After his arrival, within a few days, he could defeat my disciple in swordplay and cause my disciple to commit suicide out of shame. Don't you find it suspicious?

I suspect he has been practicing martial arts for a long time and is a spy sent by someone else. Moreover, I have evidence to prove that Duan Yi practiced martial arts before coming to the mountain."

Liu Zhi Wei and Shi Jian had been arguing about this matter for a long time, neither willing to yield to the other. Therefore, they directly shared their thoughts with Bai Xi Wen.

"In Daming County, Duan Yi once used a martial art called Minor Capturing Hand to defeat two household servants of my sect disciple Zhou Xiong. This shows he has a foundation in martial arts. If Junior Brother Bai does not believe this, he can ask Zhou Xiong."

Liu Zhi Wei heard this from Leng Qing Mei and did not know many details, but based on his conjecture, he reached this conclusion. Did he really think geniuses were so easily encountered?

In a sense, what he said was not entirely unreasonable, as many people in the hall indeed questioned Duan Yi's training time and origins.

He only started practicing swordplay after arriving on the mountain, and in just ten days, he could purely defeat Ruan Dong, a disciple who had diligently studied for three years, in swordplay. It was almost like a fairy tale, difficult to believe.

At least in their memory, such individuals, even if they existed, would undoubtedly be direct disciples of major sects or noble families, not someone who would appear so easily by their side.

Even Bai Xi Wen's performance in his youth did not remotely compare to Duan Yi's. This was too exaggerated.

Furthermore, if he already possessed martial arts, why would he deliberately put on a facade of being down and out and seek refuge with Bai Xi Wen on the mountain?

It was clearly with malicious intent and ulterior motives.

The three elders and the disciples behind them all looked to Bai Xi Wen, hoping he would provide a reasonable explanation.

Facing Liu Zhiwei's suspicion, Bai Xi Wen walked back to Duan Yi's side. He first smiled at Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, then said, "Alright, you're right. Duan Yi did practice Capturing Hand before coming up the mountain.

This is something I taught to elders in my hometown years ago for self-defense. What's so strange about him learning it?

However, it was only this Minor Capturing Hand. Duan Yi doesn't know any other martial arts.

Regarding the incident in Daming County, not only was Zhou Xiong involved, but Helan Yue'er, who is in the hall now, as well as the elders An and Qiu, were also participants.

If you have any doubts, feel free to ask them about Duan Yi's martial arts foundation at the time, and what his current level is.

With the Helan Family's reputation and the credibility of the seniors An and Qiu, Senior Brother Liu, you don't think I've bought them off to deliberately cover for Duan Yi, do you?"

During the past two days, Helan Yue'er, the elders An and Qiu, and Duan Yi had been together constantly. This naturally led to them interacting with Bai Xi Wen, and they revealed their past connection. This now became a powerful weapon for Bai Xi Wen to counter Liu Zhiwei.